Enterprising Kids, Take Note: In some regions, winter used to mean shoveling driveways. Now the list of seasonal chores for a growing number of homeowners includes clearing snow from solar panels. — New York Times

Nicaragua Turns to Wind Power: Nicaragua plans to have a $90 million wind farm up and running by next month, supplying 6 percent of the country’s energy needs. By 2013, Nicaragua aims to slash dependence on oil-based power to 3 percent. — Associated Press